Luis Enrique insists PSG are ‘better in attack and defense’ without Kylian Mbappe following superstar's move to Real Madrid

After a hugely successful era at PSG, Mbappe secured a blockbuster free transfer to Madrid last summer. Now manager Luis Enrique, who dropped the Frenchman on a number of occasions last season, believes his side have responded superbly to the 26-year-old's departure and that they are a better team without him.

He told reporters: "I was very brave last season when I told you that we would have a better team in attack and defense. I still think that we are better in attack and defense, the numbers are there to say it. The players took it as a challenge. Of course we would have liked to keep Kylian, because everyone liked Kyky, but the team is responding very positively, at a spectacular level. I told you that rather than having a player who scores 40 goals, I wanted players who all score a lot. That is our objective, to continue improving. Faced with a situation that we did not want but that happened, the maturity of the team is very good."

PSG won a league and cup double last season and had a points-per-game ratio of 2.2 in Ligue 1. This term, they are undefeated in the French top-flight, have a PPG ratio of 2.5 but have been less impressive in the Champions League. Regardless, this may not go down too well with Mbappe.

At the end of the season, it may become clear if PSG are better or worse off without Mbappe. In the meantime, PSG are back in action on Friday against Monaco in Ligue 1.